British Foreign Secretary William Hague’s Howard Lecture

Jan 17, 2013

This is the audio of UK Foreign Secretary William Hague’s Howard Lecture at the Menzies Resource Centre in Sydney.

Hague

Hague was introduced by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. He also answered questions. Former Prime Minister John Howard gave the thank you speech.

  • Listen to Abbott’s introductory speech (7m)

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  • Listen to Hague’s speech (20m)

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  • Listen to Hague take questions (14m)

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  • Listen to John Howard (9m)

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Filed Under: Audio2013, Foreign Policy - Aust, Liberal Party, U.K., Video Tagged With: , , ,

Howard Lecture: Tony Abbott Introduces William Hague

Jan 17, 2013

This is the text and audio of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s speech to the Menzies Research Centre, in Sydney.

Abbott

Abbott introduced UK Foreign Secretary William Hague who gave the John Howard Lecture.

After Hague’s speech, Abbott spoke to the media.

  • Listen to Abbott’s speech (7m)

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  • Listen to Abbott’s media conference (8m)

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Speech by Tony Abbott, introducing UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.

It is terrific to see in this room just about every Australian who is not actually at the beach at this time. I particularly want to acknowledge the presence of my Shadow Cabinet colleagues, George Brandis, Andrew Robb, Malcolm Turnbull, Sophie Mirabella and Philip Ruddock.

I wish to acknowledge the presence of my other parliamentary colleagues, Senator Sinodinos, Senator Ryan, Kelly O’Dwyer, Senator Eggleston, Senator Fawcett, Jamie Briggs, Josh Frydenberg, Jane Prentice, Wyatt Roy, Senator Mason and John Alexander. Thank you for being here. We could just about have a Shadow Cabinet meeting after this event but they are here for our former Prime Minister and to hear William Hague deliver the fourth John Howard address. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Audio2013, Foreign Policy - Aust, Liberal Party, U.K. Tagged With: , , ,

John Howard Collects His Order Of Merit

May 31, 2012

Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard has received the Order of Merit from the Queen.

In London for the Jubilee celebrations, Howard met with the Queen to receive the award which is solely within the gift of the monarch.

Howard told the Queen: “It was an enormous privilege to be your Australian prime minister.”


Filed Under: Howard, Video Tagged With: , , ,

Who Says Abbott Should Flick The Switch To Positive?

Dec 12, 2011

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have one thing in common: Their lives contain the never-ending irritation of people telling them how they should do their jobs.

AbbottEven their summer break won’t be free of the buzz of gratuitous advice. As much as they must wish to swat it away, politics demands they feign nonchalance.

In their private moments, I kind of hope they rail against the indignity of it. After all, they’re the ones who entered the arena and made it into parliament. As they claw and scramble their way to the top, they must surely know that the rest of us would struggle, as the Americans say, to be elected dog catcher. “Walk in my shoes awhile, you have no idea,” they must sometimes think.

Gillard has had more than her share of advice this year but in recent weeks the political and journalistic establishment has turned its attention to Abbott. The message is a simple one: it’s time to go positive. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gillard, Liberal Party, Opinion, Opposition Tagged With: , , , ,

After Four Years, Labor Is Still Buying Time

Nov 25, 2011

The Labor Government celebrated four years in office on Thursday with a manoeuvre that all but guaranteed it will serve a full term.

AnniversaryAs it embarks on its fifth year in office, Peter Slipper’s defection has enabled Julia Gillard to fulfil one of the most important goals of a prime minister: to insulate her government against sudden threats and extend its longevity.

The means may make some pall but the ends are delightful for a government living on the edge.

But not much else has changed. Only the madly optimistic believe Labor will make it to a sixth birthday.

Of all Australia’s federal governments since World War I, only those led by Scullin (1929-32) and Whitlam (1972-75) failed to make it to four years, although death and party-room coups meant the prime ministerial baton was often snatched from one leader and deposited with another. Only Scullin, Whitlam, Fraser and Howard led their parties to victory and then back into opposition. [Read more...]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Gillard, Opinion, Rudd Tagged With: , , , ,
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